Penetration resistant backpack for cooking utensils

ABSTRACT

A novel backpack features a back wall, a side wall and a front wall forming at least one compartment; a first divider; and first and second zippers. The first divider is connected to the side wall, and has a backside exposed toward the back wall and a front side exposed toward the front wall. The first zipper extends along the side wall intermediate the first divider and the back wall. The second zipper extends along the side wall intermediate the first divider and the front wall. At least one of the first divider front side and an inside surface of the front wall has a plurality of handle receiving pockets, and at least one of the back wall, the first divider, and the front wall is formed of a substantially penetration resistant material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a backpack, and more particularly, to abackpack for storing and transporting a variety of cooking utensilsincluding bladed utensils such as knives, wherein a protective layer isdisposed between the bladed utensils and the wearer.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventional backpacks are well known as articles for carrying personaleffects. For example, students have long preferred backpacks forcarrying textbooks, school supplies, homework, and the like.

Culinary students also would prefer to use backpacks, but conventional,soft-walled backpacks are not well suited for carrying many types ofcutlery. More specifically, knives and other bladed utensils randomlyplaced in a conventional backpack can readily poke through sides of thebackpack, potentially causing harm to the backpack, the wearer of thebackpack, and anyone else that may come into contact with the backpack.Moreover, conventional backpacks generally are designed such that theuser must blindly reach in to remove contents on the bottom of thebackpack, causing further possibility of injury, for example, bygrabbing an exposed knife blade.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a backpack that orderly andsafely contains cooking tools, including bladed utensils.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the foregoing needs by providing abackpack that orderly stores and enables safe transportation of avariety of cooking utensils, including bladed utensils.

In a first aspect of the invention, a novel backpack features a backwall, a side wall and a front wall forming at least one compartment, afirst divider, and first and second zippers. The first divider isconnected to the side wall, and has a backside exposed toward the backwall and a front side exposed toward the front wall. The first zipperextends along the side wall intermediate the first divider and the backwall. The second zipper extends along the side wall intermediate thefirst divider and the front wall. At least one of the first dividerfront side and an inside surface of the front wall has a plurality ofhandle receiving pockets, and at least one of the back wall, the firstdivider, and the front wall is formed of a substantially penetrationresistant material.

In another aspect of the invention, a novel backpack features a backwall, a side wall, and a front wall defining at least one compartment,at least one zipper, a first divider, a plurality of knife-receivingpockets, and a substantially penetration-resistant panel. The at leastone zipper extends along a top and opposite sides of the sidewall toprovide selective access to the compartment. The first divider isconnected to the sidewall and has a back side exposed toward the backwall and a front side exposed toward the front wall. The plurality ofknife-receiving pockets is disposed on at least one of the front wall,the back wall, the first divider front side, and the first divider backside. The substantially penetration-resistant panel is disposedproximate to the at least one of the front wall, the back wall, thefirst divider front side, and the first divider back side on which theplurality of handle receiving pockets are disposed.

An understanding of these and other aspects and features of theinvention may be had with reference to the attached Figures andfollowing description, in which the present invention is illustrated anddescribed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a backpack according to a firstembodiment of our invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the backpack of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a back view of the backpack of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the backpack of FIG. 1, taken alongsectional line 4-4 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating the backpack of FIG. 1 in a firstopen position.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are front views illustrating the backpack of FIG. 1 in asecond open position.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a removable pack according to a preferredembodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are front views illustrating open positions of theremovable pack of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described belowwith reference to the Figures.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, a closable backpack 1 includes a back wall 2, afront wall 4, and a side wall 6 disposed between the back wall 2 and thefront wall 4 and adjoining the back wall 2 with the front wall 4. Theside wall 6 preferably includes a substantially horizontal top 6 a andbottom 6 b, and substantially vertical sides 6 c adjoining the top 6 aand bottom 6 b. The back wall 2, front wall 4, and side wall 6 generallyform an enclosed compartment 28 for receiving articles, as will bedescribed in more detail below.

On the exterior of the backpack 1, shoulder straps 12 are disposed on,or adjacent to, the back wall 2, to facilitate wearing the backpack 1.Preferably, the straps 12 are adjustable. For example, each of thestraps 12 may include two portions 12 a, 12 b joined by a clasp 14, asis conventionally known.

A handle 16 may also be disposed on an outer surface of the backpack 1,to assist in picking up the backpack 1. While the handle 16 is shown inthe figures as being disposed on the top 6 a of the sidewall 6, thehandle may be disposed anywhere on the backpack 1. More than one handlemay also be provided, at different locations on the backpack 1.

Pack straps 62 also may be disposed proximate the bottom 6 b of the sidewall 6. The pack straps 62 preferably retain a pack 44 on an exterior ofthe backpack. A preferred pack 44 will be discussed in more detailbelow. When not needed, the pack straps 62 may be received in a zipperedpocket formed on the bottom 6 b of the backpack.

Additional compartments may also be provided to increase the carryingcapacity of the backpack 1. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, anoutside pocket 18 is disposed on the outside surface of the front wall4, and a secondary outside pocket 20 overlays a portion of the outsidepocket 18. As a further example, as shown in FIG. 3, a detachableauxiliary compartment 22 is provided on one of the shoulder straps 12.The auxiliary compartment 22 is attached to a shoulder strap via a clipmechanism 24, although any known method may be used for detachablyattaching the auxiliary compartment. As should be understood, thepresent invention also contemplates the use of additional, oralternative outside pockets, either fixed or detachable.

According to the preferred embodiment of our invention, the compartment28 defined by the back, front, and side walls 2, 4, 6 of the backpack 1is divided into two compartments 28 a, 28 b. In particular, a divider 26is connected to the side wall 6 to divide the compartment 28 into afront compartment 28 a and a rear compartment 28 b. The frontcompartment 28 a is defined by the front wall 4, a front side 26 a ofthe divider 26, and the side wall 6. The rear compartment 28 b isdefined by the back wall 2, a back side 26 b of the divider 26, and theside wall 6.

Selective access to the front and back compartments 28 a, 28 b isprovided by front and back zippers 8 a, 8 b, respectively. Asillustrated, the zippers 8 a, 8 b extend substantially along the lengthof both sides 6 c and the top 6 a of the sidewall 6. In this manner,when one of the zippers 8 a, 8 b is completely unzipped, i.e., one ofthe compartments is opened, the bottom 6 b of the sidewall 6 acts as ahinge adjoining (i) the front portion of the backpack 1, i.e., theportion of the backpack in front of the unzipped zipper, proximate thefront wall 4, and (ii) the back portion of the backpack 1, i.e., theportion of the backpack behind the unzipped zipper, proximate the backwall 2. As should be appreciated, unzipping the front zipper 8 aprovides access to the front compartment 28 a, while unzipping the backzipper 8 b provides access to the back compartment 28 b.

In conventional backpacks, zippers generally extend along the top anddown only a portion of the sides of the backpack. However, in thepreferred embodiment of the invention, the zippers 8 a, 8 b preferablyextend along the top and down the entirety of the sides 6 b of thesidewall 6 of the backpack 1. In this manner, when each of the zippersis completely unzipped, the two exposed surfaces may be made to lieflat. More specifically, when the front zipper 8 a is unzipped to allowaccess to the front compartment 28 a, the zipper is completely unzippedsuch that the front portion of the backpack is attached to the backportion only about the bottom 6 b of the backpack 1, and hinges aboutthe bottom of the backpack, i.e., the front and back portions are notconnected along the sides of the backpack. Preferably, the front andback portions hinge relative to each other up to an angle of about270-degrees and more preferably up to an angle of about 180-degrees.Thus, when the front compartment is opened, the inner surface of thefront of the backpack and the front surface of the divider may both belaid substantially flat on a horizontal surface. This arrangement allowsthe entirety of the compartment to be visually available and readilyaccessible. For example, when a plurality of knives is disposed withinthe front compartment, as will be described in more detail below, all ofthe knives are orderly displayed before the user. The back compartmentpreferably opens in a similar fashion.

The front compartment 28 a and back compartment 28 b will now bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 5-7. Specifically, FIG. 5 illustratesthe backpack 1 when the front zipper 8 a is completely unzipped, thusexposing the front compartment 28 a, and FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate thebackpack 1 when the back zipper 8 b is completely unzipped, thusexposing the rear compartment 28 b.

As shown in FIG. 5, the front compartment 28 a includes a plurality ofknife-receiving pockets 30 formed on the front side 26 a of the divider26 and on the inside surface of the front wall 4. Each of the pockets 30opens toward the top 6 a of the backpack 1, and is sized and constructedto receive a utensil, such as a knife. Preferably, each sleeve 30receives the handled portion of the knife, leaving the bladed end of theknife exposed above the sleeve, i.e., directed toward the top of thebackpack 1.

One or more utensil retaining straps 32 are provided above the pockets30 to retain the bladed end of the knife against one of the frontsurface 26 a of the divider 26 and the inner surface of the front wall4. (That is, the retaining straps 32 retain the bladed end of the knifeagainst the surface on which the pocket is formed.) An end of each ofthe retaining straps 32 is fixed proximate a side of the backpack,leaving the other, distal end free. A clasp 34 preferably is disposed oneach of the retaining straps, proximate a side of the backpack oppositethe side on which the strap is fixed, to receive the distal end of thestrap. The clasp 34 is preferably movable along the length of the strapin a preferred arrangement, the distal end of the strap is folded backon the strap, such that the clasp is disposed about two sections of thestrap, at least one section being proximate the distal end of the strap.

A side of each of the straps 32 disposed facing the surface to which theknives are to be restrained preferably includes one of a plurality ofhooks and a plurality of loops to mate with the other of the pluralityof hooks and the plurality of loops disposed on the surface to which theknives are to be restrained. Thus, each of the straps is detachablyattachable to the surface on which the strap is to retain a knife usinga conventional hook and loop fastening system. The half of the hook andloop fastening system disposed on the backpack may comprise anywherefrom a strip having approximately the same size and shape as theretaining strap to the whole surface on which the straps are to bedetachably attached.

Thus, according to this preferred embodiment, when the handled end of aknife is placed in a knife-retaining pocket 30 formed on the frontsurface 26 a of the divider 26, the blade of the knife overlays aportion of the divider comprising half of a hook-and-loop fasteningsystem. The strap 32, having on a side facing the front surface of thedivider 26 the other half of the hook-and-loop fastening system, isplaced over the blade of the knife. Portions of the strap not overlayingthe blade of the knife are detachably attached to the front surface 26 aof the divider 26 via the hook-and-loop fastening system. Accordingly,the strap retains the knife blade against the front surface 26 a of thedivider 26, and, because the strap is fixed to the divider on sides ofthe blade, lateral movement of the knife, i.e., along the length of thestrap 32, is also restrained.

Other methods for retaining the knives also are contemplated. Forexample, the hook-and-loop system may not be included, and retention ofthe knives may be achieved only by tightening the strap against thesurface on which the knife is to be retained. In such an arrangement,the clasp may be disposed separate from the strap, fixedly attachedproximate the side of the backpack opposite the side on which the strapis fixed. A clasp according to this embodiment facilitates loosening andtightening the straps. In a further embodiment, both ends of each of oneor more elastic bands may be fixed to opposite sides of the backpack.Such bands would preferably stretch away from the surface on which theknife is to be retained, to accommodate insertion of a knife between theband and the surface, with the elasticity of the band, when the band islet go, providing a biasing force to retain the knife. A single elasticstrap, or loop, may also be disposed above each pocket, to separatelycontain the bladed end of each knife.

In the preferred embodiment, two straps are provided above each row ofpockets. However, two straps are disclosed merely because thisarrangement allows for retention of both shorter knives (i.e., by usingthe strap closer to the pocket) and longer knives (i.e., by using bothstraps). Of course, one could readily contemplate situations in whichonly one strap is necessary, and when more than two straps would beuseful. Moreover, the spacing of the straps relative to the pockets andwith respect to each other also may be varied, as dictated by designrequirements.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the rear compartment 28 b of the preferredembodiment of the invention. Specifically, those figures illustrate thebackpack when the rear zipper 8 b is completely unzipped, and the frontportion of the backpack, i.e., the portion in front of the rear zipper 8b, proximate the front wall, is displaced approximately 180-degreesabout the bottom of the backpack, relative to the back portion of thebackpack, i.e., the portion behind the rear zipper 8 b, proximate theback wall. As illustrated, a plurality of pouches 36 is disposed on theinner surface of the back wall 2 of the backpack 1. The pouches 36preferably have a variety of sizes and shapes, with each having anopening for gaining access to an interior thereof. Zippers, or similarstructure, are preferably provided to selectively open and close thepouches. At least a panel of the pouches also may be formed of a mesh,plastic, or other material that allows viewing of contents of the pouchwithout opening the pouch.

Preferably, the pouches are removably fixed to the inner surface of theback wall, using a hook-and-loop fastening system. More specifically,the back of each of the pouches includes either the hooks or loopscomprising one half of the hook and loop fastening system, and the innersurface of the back wall includes the other of the hooks and loops. Theentire back of each of the pouches and the entire inner surface of theback wall, or only a portion of these surfaces, may include the hooks orloops. Alternatively, the pouches may be snapped, buttoned, zippered, orotherwise removably engaged to the inner surface of the back wall.

In other embodiments, the pouches may be formed as a part of the innersurface of the back wall. More specifically, the inner surface of theback wall of the backpack may comprise an inner surface of each of thepouches. Moreover, the pouches may be irremovably fixed to the innersurface of the back wall. For example, the pouches may be sewn, adhered,or otherwise irremovably disposed on a surface of the backpack.

The rear compartment 28 b of the preferred backpack also preferablyfeatures a sleeve 40 formed on the rear surface 26 b of the divider 26.A zipper 42 provides selective access to the interior of the sleeve 40.Of course other known fastening means, such as, for example, snaps,buttons, tie-able laces, or the like may be used in lieu of the zipperto provide selective access to the sleeve 40.

Any number of items may be contained in the sleeve 40. For example, acutting board (not shown) may be placed therein. However, as shown inFIG. 7, a removable pack 44 is preferably contained within the sleeve40. The removable pack 44 will be described with reference to FIGS.8-10.

The removable pack 44 includes a plurality of leaves disposed to foldrelative to each other. For example, the preferred pack disclosed in thefigures shows four leaves 46 disposed to hinge about three folds 48.Thus, the leaves 46 are foldable upon each other, to form a closed pack,and are unfolded relative to each other to open the pack. Of course, theremovable pack 44 may include more or less leaves and folds. Moreover,the removable pack 44 may comprise a roll that rolls up to form a closedpack, and unrolls to open the pack.

On an external surface of at least two of the leaves, adjustable straps50 are provided. The straps are closable using conventional clips 52.The adjustable straps 50 and clips 52 maintain the pack in a closedposition. The removable pack 44 also may include a carrying strap 54 tofacilitate carrying the pack 44 separately from the backpack 1. Thecarrying strap 54 preferably includes an adjuster 55 for adjusting thelength of the carrying strap and/or clasps 56 at ends of the carryingstrap 54 to facilitate attachment of the carrying strap 54 to the pack44. Eyelets 58 may be formed on an outer surface of the pack 44 toreceive the clasps 56. Of course, other attachment means for attachingthe carrying strap to the pack 44 also are contemplated. The carryingstrap also may be fixedly attached to the pack.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate the pack 44 in an open position. As shown inthose figures, the inside of the pack preferably includes a number ofsleeves and/or pockets for receiving utensils or the like. Morespecifically, one or more flaps 60 may be fixed, e.g., by sewing or thelike, on one end to a side of the inner surface of the pack. In thismanner, the flap hinges about the fixed end. Attachment means may beprovided to attach the distal end of the flaps 60 to the inner surfaceof the pack 44. Each of the flaps 60 includes a sleeve 62 formed thereinfor receiving items.

Opening the flaps 60 relative to the backpack 44, i.e., hinging theflaps 60 about the fixed end as shown in FIG. 10, provides access to anumber of knife-retaining pockets 64. The pockets 64 may be disposedproximate only one side the pack 44, or may be disposed on two, oppositesides. Both of these configurations are illustrated in FIG. 10. As alsoshown, the pockets 64 are constructed in substantially the same manneras the knife receiving pockets 30 disposed on the inner surfaces of thefront compartment 28 a of the backpack 1. Utensil retaining straps 66also may be provided that are substantially the same as the utensilretraining straps 32 described above with respect to the frontcompartment 28 a of the backpack 1. In as much as the knife receivingpocket 64 and the retaining straps 66 are substantially the same asthose described above with respect to the front compartment of thebackpack 1, further discussion of these features will not be includedherein.

In the preferred backpack according to the invention, the knife pockets30 and associated retaining straps 32 disposed in the front compartment28 a of the backpack provide stability for knives and other bladedutensils when contained within the backpack. More specifically, a pocketholds the knife's handle, and the blade of the knife is retained toreduce relative movement of the knife with respect to the backpack.Accordingly, a number of knives and other utensils may be contained inthe backpack in an orderly fashion, and in such a manner that it isunlikely that the knives will become dislodged. Moreover, thecompartments are designed to open completely, such that oppositesurfaces of the compartment are completely exposed. In this manner,knives and other effects contained within the respective compartmentsare completely displayed for a user, to allow for easy selection amongstthe effects. Accordingly, the risk of injury from unintentional humancontact with the blades in the backpack is greatly reduced.

Thus, while the invention described to this point provides an improvedbackpack with enhanced safety features, the preferred embodiment of theinvention also provides an added level of protection for a user.Specifically, one or more of the divider, the back wall, and the frontwall of the backpack comprises a substantially puncture-resistant panel.For example, polyethylene or a similar material may be used to constructthe one or more of the divider, the back wall, and the front wall of thebackpack, or at least a portion of these surfaces. Alternatively, thesubstantially puncture-resistant panel may be formed as an insert forplacement between front and back surfaces of the divider, back wall orfront wall. Such an insertable panel formed of the puncture-resistantmaterial may be fixedly disposed between the surfaces, for example, byplacing the insert between the surfaces and fixing the surfaces to eachother by sewing, riveting, or some other known means. Alternatively, thepanel may be removably disposed between the front surface 26 a and therear surface 26 b of the divider 26, for example, by using snaps, azipper, or similar fastening means to selectively separate and engagethe two surfaces 26 a, 26 b. In particular, it is envisioned that theinsert may double as a cutting board when removed. Thus, the panelprovides a safety feature when inserted into the backpack, and functionsas a cutting board when removed.

The puncture-resistant material preferably is provided as, or inconjunction with, any surface that blades may contact, and at least isplaced between sharp utensils contained in the backpack and the userwearing the backpack. For example, if only the front compartment of thebackpack contains knives, the divider and the front wall preferablyinclude the puncture-resistant material. However, if the backpack alsowill contain bladed utensils in the rear compartment, the puncture-proofmaterial should form the back wall of the backpack, to be disposedbetween the back compartment and the wearer of the backpack.

Of course, any or all other portions of the backpack also may beconstructed of the substantially puncture-resistant material. Forexample, the knife-receiving pockets may be made of, or lined with, thepuncture-resistant material, to provide added safety. Preferably, thebackpack is constructed of polyester and the puncture-resistant materialis polyethylene. Of course, other known materials may be used for thebackpack and for the puncture-resistant material.

The term “knife” is used throughout this application only as an exampleof a handled utensil. As is readily apparent from the precedingdiscussion of a novel backpack, any handled utensil or other similardevice may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

The embodiments discussed above are representative of embodiments of thepresent invention and are provided only for illustration. Theembodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.Variations and modifications are apparent from a reading of thepreceding description and are included within the scope of theinvention. The invention is intended to be limited only by the scope ofthe accompanying claims.

1. A backpack comprising: a back wall, a side wall and a front wallforming at least one compartment; a first divider connected to the sidewall, the first divider having a backside exposed toward the back walland a front side exposed toward the front wall; a first zipper extendingalong the side wall intermediate the first divider and the back wall; asecond zipper extending along the side wall intermediate the firstdivider and the front wall, wherein at least one of the first dividerfront side and an inside surface of the front wall has a plurality ofhandle receiving pockets, and at least one of the back wall, the firstdivider, and the front wall is formed of a substantially penetrationresistant material.
 2. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the at least oneof the first divider front side and the inside surface of the front wallincludes a retaining strap spaced from the handle receiving pockets. 3.The backpack of claim 1, wherein both the first divider front side andthe inside surface of the front wall includes a plurality of handlereceiving pockets.
 4. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the back wall,the side wall and the first divider define a utensil compartment.
 5. Thebackpack of claim 4, wherein the utensil compartment is sized to retaina plurality of non-bladed cooking utensils.
 6. The backpack of claim 4,further comprising a plurality of pouches disposed on at least one ofthe back wall and the first divider.
 7. The backpack of claim 6, whereinthe plurality of pouches are removably attached on the at least one ofthe back wall and the first divider.
 8. The backpack of claim 1, furthercomprising a primary outside pocket on an outside surface of the frontwall.
 9. The backpack of claim 1, further comprising a secondary outsidepocket overlaying a portion of the primary outside pocket.
 10. Thebackpack of claim 1, wherein the backside of the first divider includesa sleeve.
 11. The backpack of claim 10, further comprising a removablepack disposed within the sleeve.
 12. The backpack of claim 10, whereinthe sleeve defines a selectively closable opening.
 13. The backpack ofclaim 12, further comprising a zipper defining at least a portion of theselectively closable opening.
 14. The backpack of claim 11, wherein theremovable pack includes a plurality of handle receiving pockets.
 15. Abackpack comprising: a back wall, a side wall, and a front wall definingat least one compartment; at least one zipper extending along a top andopposite sides of the sidewall providing selective access to thecompartment; a first divider connected to the sidewall, the firstdivider having a backside exposed toward the back wall and a front sideexposed toward the front wall; a plurality of knife receiving pocketsdisposed on at least one of the front wall, the back wall, the firstdivider front side, and the first divider back side; and a substantiallypenetration-resistant panel disposed proximate to the at least one ofthe front wall, the back wall, the first divider front side, and thefirst divider back side on which the plurality of handle receivingpockets are disposed.
 16. The backpack according to claim 15, the atleast one zipper comprising first and second zippers, the first zipperbeing disposed between the first divider and the front wall to allowselected access to a front compartment and the second zipper beingdisposed between the first divider and the back wall to allow selectedaccess to a back compartment.
 17. The backpack according to claim 15,wherein the zipper extends along a top and the entirety of oppositesides of the sidewall.
 18. The backpack according to claim 16, whereinat least one of the front compartment and the back compartment comprisesa plurality of pouches.
 19. The backpack according to claim 18, whereinthe pouches are removably attachable to a surface of the at least one ofthe front compartment and the back compartment.
 20. The backpackaccording to claim 15, further comprising one or more retaining strapsspaced from the knife retaining pockets.
 21. The backpack according toclaim 20, wherein the one or more retaining straps spaced from the kniferetaining pockets are detachably attachable to the at least one of thefront wall, the back wall, the first divider front side, and the firstdivider back side upon which the knife retaining pockets are disposed.22. The backpack according to claim 15, wherein the substantiallypenetration-resistant panel is disposed between adjacent surfaces. 23.The backpack according to claim 22, wherein the substantiallypenetration-resistant panel is removably disposable between the adjacentsurfaces.